How to raise Backyard Chickens: Re: [CHICKENS-101] Dead Rooster and Doves

Tuesday, June 10, 2014

Re: [CHICKENS-101] Dead Rooster and Doves - HELP!

Sounds like a dog.

Many dogs kill by grabbing the animal at the neck and giving it a hard shake which breaks the neck. Nothing much shows. That toy stops running and making noise and being fun so they look for another one that's more exciting.

I'd keep them in tomorrow. He'll be back, guaranteed. And will keep on coming until all the "toys" are broken. Those are kills, not sickness.

Don't freak out. Cope! Try to catch the dog, there are lots of ways. You won't have a minute's peace until you do. Either trap it or shoot it or catch it inside a fence or coop or something. Tie him up, look for an ID, call the owner, call the police. You are entitled to recompense for the loss, and the owner will pay a fine. If it ever comes back, there's always the 3S chicken preservation treatment.

But you really need a fence. Free range sounds nice, but it just doesn't work. A free range chicken is simply a dead chicken waiting to happen. Seems like every predator there is likes a nice chicken dinner, and the longer you have them the more the word gets around.

Sorry,

Diane S.

----- Original Message -----

From: katewin56@yahoo.com [CHICKENS-101]

To: CHICKENS-101@yahoogroups.com

Sent: Tuesday, June 10, 2014 11:31 PM

Subject: [CHICKENS-101] Dead Rooster and Doves - HELP!

Ok, I am totally stumped. I came home today to find 2 dead pigeon/doves (not sure which they are). One in the coop and one about 10 feet directly outside the coop (there's no run as they're completely free range during the day). I assumed that the birds got into the coop and were killed by my chickens. The wild birds often get into the coop to eat the food.

But then I found my rooster on the patio underneath the table... looks like he's been dead for hours. He was alive and well when I left for work this morning!! None of the 3 dead birds (2 pigeons and my rooster) have any obvious injuries or feathers missing or anything! The rooster did have a little blood around his beak and comb, like maybe he coughed it up or something??? I have no idea.

I am so freaked out! I have 10 other chickens that all seem fine....

I always pay attention to their stools, and nothing seemed weird or different lately...

What could have killed those 3 birds all within a matter of hours, with no signs of injury or struggle??

Could it be some kind of disease? Should I not be eating the hens' eggs for a while??

What should I do?!

Thanks,

Katie

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